Hi Alex,

Thank you for responding so quickly. Your suggested topic sounds perfect!

As you've noted, there is a huge discrepancy in the depth of knowledge in this
particular field between researchers (typically Japanese academics/doctoral
candidates at English-speaking universities) and practicing English teachers
(both Japanese and non-Japanese).

The beauty of your topic is that the hard work has already been done to describe
the phonological processes, so my focus would be on the practical application of
these descriptions: making them accessible and relevant to a teaching context.
That fits the descriptors for a M.Ed project nicely... Thank you!

R.e. Global Englishes/English as a Lingua Franca: yes, it's a big topic in
Australia. At a policy level, there's concern about the financial ramifications.
The education 'export' sector (i.e. overseas students studying in Australia) is
our 3rd largest export: $12.5 billion annually and rising. So naturally there's
concern that if/when inner circle nations (US, UK, Canada, Australia, NZ) lose
their gatekeeper status for the English language, there'll be no need for
students to go to those nations to study.

What are the issues in Europe re ELF? How about in Japan?

Steph

--- In iatefl_pronsig@..., "pronsig_mod" <pronsig_mod@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Stephanie,
>
> Have you got any initial ideas to work from?
> Given your interest in technical phonology, Japanese and that you want
something applicable to teaching... How about a comparison of how reductions
occur in casual speech in Japanese and English? There's been a lot of research
but I haven't seen attempts to transfer it properly to teaching. I'm working in
Japan - it would be interesting to see if there are short-cuts to good
pronunciation.
> There's a big focus on English as a Lingua Franca in Europe at the moment.
Does that apply in Australia? (Oh, are you in Australia?)
>
> Do let us know how you get on,
>
> All the best,
>
> Alex.
>
>
>
> --- In iatefl_pronsig@..., "stephanie gilkes" <stephaniegilkes@>
wrote:
> >
> > Hello PronSIG members,
> >
> > Can anyone help? I'm looking for a research topic (in the area of phonology
and TESOL) and time is running out! Aaargh!
> >
> > I have an honours degree in phonology (topic: stress-conditioned allomorphy
in Ngayarda languages of Western Australia) and would like to continue
researching in phonology, but now in relation to TESOL. I have taught English in
Japan and Australia and now examine for IELTS, so anything that looks at
phonology in relation to one of those contexts would be most relevant.
> >
> > Does anyone have any suggestions?
> >
> > Stephanie
> >
>